Contact point or the like



F. w. CURTIS 2,228,814 CONTACT POINT OR THE LIKE Filed July 16. 1938 Patented Jan. 14, 1941 UNITED STATES CONTACT POINT OR THE LIKE Fred W. Curtis, Chicago, 111., assignor to Elmer Rich, Palm Beach, Fla.

Application July 16, 1938, Serial No. 219,652

8 Claims.

My invention relates to points or contacts used to make and break electrical circuits, and more particularly to automotive breaker points and the like.

The invention has among its objects the production of points or contacts which are at all times maintained in proper contact relationship and in which the elements of the contacts are adjustable, whereby they may be properly aligned to contact each other throughout their faces rather than a portion thereof.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a point or contact wherein the adjustability of the faces is automatically ac- 1 complished.

Another object of the invention is the production of an automatically adjustable contact or point, the contact face being automatically aligned with the contact face of the other point, 20 this being accomplished by the impact of the points with each other when they are in a position to close the electrical circuit.

Another object of the invention is the construction of an adjustable contact in which the component parts are always positively in contact with one another thereby assuring a positive passing of current through the device when in operation.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a point or contact which is so de signed and constructed that the same may be employed in substantially any circuit requiring a use of make and break contacts, as my contacts are very compact and may therefore be employed on either a stationary contact or on a rocker arm or other movable contact. Similarly, my improved device may be mounted in any position, either horizontally or vertically.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a device in which the parts, particularly those moving relative to each other, are effectively sealed from dirt, oil, etc.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end, my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of 50 parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved contact 55 mounted on a breaker arm;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the contact point mounted as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 before its application to the breaker arm;

Fig. 4 illustrates a stationary contact embody- 5 ing my invention, the same being mounted on the usual distributor plate;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a modification of the construction shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of one of my 10 improved points mounted on a stud and designed to be secured to a suitable support; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a slightly modified form of one of the elements comprising my device.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, l represents a contact element. This element comprises a contacting portion 2 of tungsten, platinum or other suitable material for the purpose, which'is mounted on the base portion 3, the latter having a curved side portion or face 4, the center of curvature being substantially at the center of the ball or sphere 9. 5 represents a cup-shaped base member provided with side walls or flanges 6, the cup portion being of a size toreceive the portion 3 of the contact element l. The portion 3 of the contact element l is provided with a recess 1, and the mounting member 5 is likewise provided with a recess 8. Engaging the respective recesses is a sphere 9 which provides a pivot joint, pivotally connecting the contact element I with the mounting member 5. This sphere or ball constitutes a bearing member for the respective parts, whereby the contact element is given a toggle ac- 5 tion relative the base member. Obviously, the contact element I would be able to move in any direction about the center of the sphere, relative to the mounting member 5.

To maintain the parts in operative engagement 40 a washer or ring 10 is provided, the inner edge of said ring or washer engaging the curved portion or face 4 of the contact element, and the outer edge engaging directly with the side walls or flanges B of'the base or mounting member 5, as will hereinafter be described; or as shown in Fig. 3, it is preferably held in place by the resilient split ring I I, which in turn engages the side walls 6, the latter extending inwardly adjacent its free edge, as shown at l2, this being accomplished by any suitable means, such as crimping the edges 6 over, or the like. It will be noted that in this construction a universal movement of the contact element within a limited range is provided,

element may readily adjust itself and bring the same into proper alignment with the second contact I3 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The ring of the sphere 9 relative to the base member 5.

The base or mounting member may be provided with a tubular stem I4 having a bore l5, whereby the stem may be flanged over as at M constituting a rivet for securing the member 5 in place, as for example, on an ordinary breaker arm l6, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

If desired, as shown in Fig. 4, the base member 5 may be mounted on the usual distributor plate I! employed in some types of distributors, the stem (4 being flanged over at E4 similar to that of the rocker arm shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 discloses a somewhat similar construction embodying the same general principles, and employing a base member 25 having the side walls 26 similar to the walls 6 and a projection 29 integrally formed with said base member 25. This projection, which is provided with a substantially spherical surface 29, takes the place of the sphere 9. The contact element 2| is provided with a recess 21 somewhat similar to the recess 1 shown in Fig. 3, this recess being of a size to engage the face 29' of the projection 29. Likewise, the lower base portion 23 of the contact element 22 is provided with the curved side portions 24 engageable with the inner edge of the ring 33, the outer edge of the ring directly engaging the side walls 23, the latter being crimped over, as shown at 26', to securely hold the ring 33 in place. Similarly, the base member 25 may be provided with the stem 28, corresponding to the stem [4, and the bore 23' corresponding to the bore I5 as shown in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 6 is shown the device mounted on a shank or stud 33, the parts 3|, 32, and 33 corresponding with the parts I, 2, and 6 shown in Fig. 3. The stud 33 is preferably threaded and may, if desired, be provided with a bolt head 34 for screwing the stud 33 into a cooperating support 35, and may be locked in place by a suitable lock nut 37.

The construction shown in Fig. 7 is a modification of that shown in Fig. 5, and is illustrated in conjunction with a stud 43 similar to the stud 33 shown in Fig. 6. It comprises a base or mounting member 45 having side: walls 43 similar to the side walls 3 as shown in Fig. 3, or 26, as shown in Fig. 5, and is provided withan integral projection 49 having a curved face 49, the bore 28', as shown in Fig. 3, being omitted.

It will be seen from the above description that my improved contact is of a universal type and may be employed in substantially any type of apparatus employing such points, as for example, a breaker arm as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a mounting plate as shown in Fig. 4, or on a stud as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In practice, particularly in automobile distributors, a rocker arm having a contact embodying my invention is merely substituted for the original rocker arm in the distributor; or if the distributor employs the type of plate shown in Fig. 4, a plate embodying my device in place of the usual contact is substituted for the original plate in the distributor; and likewise with the stud. Ordinarily, one adjustable contact and one old style rigid contact is employed, it not being necessary to have both conwhereby the contacting surface of the contact tacts adjustable, inasmuch as the one adjust-able contact will automatically align itself with the rigid contact. Similarly, with my improved contact, it is immaterial whether the same be mounted on the rocker arm or movable contact or on the stationary contact, and correspondingly the rigid contact may form the movable or stationary contact as desired.

In operation, in a distributor employing a rigid contact and one of my adjustable points, as the two points come in contact, the impact of the same will automatically align the contact element l of my device with the rigid contact, and thereby provide and maintain perfect alignment between said points. The frictional engagement between the parts of my device is such that the said parts will maintain their relative position throughout ordinary vibrations, jars, etc., but will, on the other hand, be moved into proper position by the impact as the two points come together, thereby assuring a positive and efiicient operation and correct alignment throughout the life of the points and associated parts, regardless of wear of the points, rocker arms or other elements of the distributor.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A contact of the kind described comprising a cup-shaped member, a contact element having a contact face of suitable material and a base portion associated therewith, means forming a pivot joint pivotally connecting said element and member, the side portions of said contact element adjacent the side walls of said member being substantially spherically shaped, a relatively flat ring encircling said element and engaging the curved portions of said element, and a split ring engageable with said flat ring and with the side walls of said member, the edge of said side walls being flanged inwardly slightly to at least partially overlie said split ring.

2. A contact of the kind described comprising a cup-shaped member including side walls, a contact element having a contact face of suitable material and a base portion associated therewith, said base portion having a recess therein, means engageable with said recess, said recess and means cooperating to form a pivot joint pivotaly connecting said element and member, the side portions of said contact element adjacent the side walls of said member being substantially spherically shaped, a relatively fiat ring encircling said element and engaging the curved portions of said element, and a split ring engageable with said flat ring and with the side walls of said member, the edge of said side walls being flanged inwardly slightly to at least partially overlie said split ring.

3. A contact of the kind described comprising a cup-shaped member including side walls, a contact element having a contact face of suitable material and a base portion associated therewith, said base portion having a recess therein, a projection extending from said member intermediate the side walls and engageable with said recess to form a pivot joint pivotally connecting said element and member, the side portions of said contact element adjacent the side walls of said member being substantially spherically shaped, a relatively flat ring encircling said element and engaging the curved portions of said element, and asplit ring engageable with said fiat ring and with the side walls of said member, the edge of said walls being flanged inwardly slightly to at least partially overlie said split ring.

4. A contact of the kind described comprising a cup-shaped base member, a projection extending from said member intermediate the side walls thereof, a contact element having a recess therein, the latter being engageable with said projection to form a pivot joint, a relatively fiat ring encircling said element and engageable therewith, and a split ring engageable with said flat ring and the side walls of said member for maintaining the parts in operative relation.

5. A contact of the kind described comprising a cup-shaped member having a recess therein between side walls thereof, a contact element having a contact face of suitable material and a base portion associated therewith, said base portion having a recess therein, a sphere engageable with the recess in said element, and the recess in said member to form a pivot joint pivotally connecting said element and member, the side portions of said contact element adjacent the side walls of said member being substantially spherically shaped, a relatively flat ring encircling said element, and engaging the curved portions of said element, and a split ring engageable with said fiat ring and with the side walls of said member, the edge of said side walls being flanged inwardly slightly to at least partially overlie said split rmg.

6. A contact of the kind described, including: a supporting member having substantially vertical side walls; a contact element having a contact face and a base portion having a recess therein, the supporting member being provided with means adapted to cooperate with said recess to form a pivotal connection between the element and the member; and resilient means engageable with said side walls and said base portion to maintain the parts in positive operative relation.

'7. Apparatus of the character claimed in claim 6, wherein the side walls extend above the remainder of the supporting member to make it cup-like in shape, and the resilient means is in the form of a ring engaging the interior of the side walls.

8. A contact of the kind described, including: a cup-like supporting member having substantially vertical side walls extending above the remainder thereof; a contact element having a contact face and a base portion having a recess therein, the supporting member having, in the center of the cup-like space defined therein, an upwardly extending part providing a segmental spherical portion adapted to be received by the recess and engage its walls to provide a supporting pivotal bearing surface for the contact element, the side walls being spaced throughout from the element; and a ring of spring metal engaging said base portion and the interior of the side walls to maintain the parts in positive operative relation.

FRED W. CURTIS. 

